Research article summary (published 30 Jul 2009):

What is the significance of tendon suture purchase?

Full Abstract

Repairs have been performed on porcine flexor tendons and subjected to tensile stress measurements to determine the effects and mechanism of core suture purchase (the length of the suture bite). Eighty-four pig trotter flexor profundus tendons were divided and repaired using four lengths of core suture purchase (1.33, 1, 0.66 and 0.33 cm) using a double modified Kessler repair (four strands, two knots) with a peripheral epitendinous suture. Tendon purchase was achieved by either bilateral equal purchase lengths or with one tendon purchase at a fixed depth of 1 cm. A separate group of tendons were incubated in blood for 24 hours to simulate the wound environment prior to testing. Tensile tests demonstrated a progressive increase of repair strength with purchase length. With the exception of the 0.33 cm group, video analysis demonstrated the mode of failure as suture failure and not due to suture pullout. Therefore, the increase in breaking strength cannot be attributed to a better grip of the tendon ends, but to the mechanical characteristics of the suture polymer. The tendency for the incubated tendons to fail more consistently by pullout rather than suture failure, particularly in the shorter purchase lengths, emphasises the importance of studying tendon purchase in vivo. The significance of ex vivo mechanical testing should be considered with caution.

Author information

Author/s: Kim, J B (JB); de Wit, T (T); Hovius, S E R (SE); McGrouther, D A (DA); Walbeehm, E T (ET);

Affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. jongbkim2001(-atsign-)yahoo.co.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article

Journal: The Journal of hand surgery, European volume (J Hand Surg Eur Vol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Aug; vol 34 (issue 4) : pp 497-502

Dates: Created 2009/08/13; Completed 2009/10/28;

PMID: 19675031, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/28/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals Biomechanics Risk Factors Surgical Wound Dehiscence - etiology Suture Techniques

Suture Techniques Sutures Swine Tendons - surgery Tensile Strength

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